DoD's $154M EPASS Contract Awarded to Odyssey Systems Consulting Group for R&D Support

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $154,479,637 ($154.5M)

Contractor: Odyssey Systems Consulting Group, Ltd.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2018-07-27

End Date: 2022-07-17

Contract Duration: 1,451 days

Daily Burn Rate: $106.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 7

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: IGF::CL,CT::IGF PROCUREMENT OF ENGINEERING, PROFESSIONAL, AND ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES (EPASS

Place of Performance

Location: WAKEFIELD, MIDDLESEX County, MASSACHUSETTS, 01880

State: Massachusetts Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $154.5 million to ODYSSEY SYSTEMS CONSULTING GROUP, LTD. for work described as: IGF::CL,CT::IGF PROCUREMENT OF ENGINEERING, PROFESSIONAL, AND ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES (EPASS Key points: 1. The contract, valued at $154.48 million, focuses on Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. 2. Odyssey Systems Consulting Group, Ltd. is the sole awardee under this specific delivery order. 3. The contract was awarded under Full and Open Competition after Exclusion of Sources, indicating a specific justification for limiting initial bidders. 4. The primary sector is R&D, with a significant portion allocated to engineering and professional support services.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract's Cost No Fee (CNF) pricing structure is unusual for R&D services, making direct cost comparisons difficult. The total award value of $154.48M over approximately 4 years suggests a substantial investment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The 'Full and Open Competition after Exclusion of Sources' indicates a non-standard procurement approach. While competition was intended, the exclusion of certain sources may limit price discovery and potentially increase costs compared to unrestricted full and open competition.

Taxpayer Impact: The significant value of the contract means taxpayers are funding extensive R&D support services. The specific competition method warrants scrutiny to ensure optimal value for taxpayer dollars.

Public Impact

Taxpayers are funding advanced research and development services through this contract. The contract supports critical engineering and administrative functions within the Department of the Air Force. The specific procurement method raises questions about the breadth of competition and potential cost efficiencies.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition method
Cost No Fee pricing structure for R&D
Potential for reduced price discovery

Positive Signals

Supports critical R&D functions
Significant contract value indicates substantial project scope

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. Spending benchmarks in this area can vary widely based on the nature of the research, but $154M over four years represents a considerable investment in specialized support services.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate whether small businesses were involved as subcontractors or prime contractors. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract's duration and value necessitate robust oversight to ensure performance objectives are met and funds are used efficiently. The 'Exclusion of Sources' element suggests a need for clear justification and documentation of the procurement process.

Related Government Programs

Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
Department of Defense Contracting
Department of the Air Force Programs

Risk Flags

Limited competition method raises concerns about price optimization.
Cost No Fee structure may reduce contractor cost-control incentives.
Lack of transparency regarding excluded sources.
Potential for cost overruns due to uncertain R&D scope.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $154.5 million to ODYSSEY SYSTEMS CONSULTING GROUP, LTD.. IGF::CL,CT::IGF PROCUREMENT OF ENGINEERING, PROFESSIONAL, AND ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES (EPASS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ODYSSEY SYSTEMS CONSULTING GROUP, LTD..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Air Force).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $154.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2018-07-27. End: 2022-07-17.

What was the specific justification for excluding sources in this 'Full and Open Competition after Exclusion of Sources' award, and how did it impact the final price?

The justification for excluding sources is critical to understanding the procurement's fairness and efficiency. If specific capabilities were required that only a limited number of firms possessed, or if there were prior performance issues with other potential bidders, this could explain the exclusion. However, such exclusions can limit competitive pressure, potentially leading to higher prices than a truly unrestricted competition might yield. A thorough review of the solicitation documents and award justification is necessary to assess the price impact.

How does the 'Cost No Fee' (CNF) pricing structure align with the nature of R&D services, and what are the implications for contractor incentive and government oversight?

A Cost No Fee (CNF) contract is typically used when the scope of work is highly uncertain or when the government is providing significant resources or direction. For R&D, this structure might be employed if the government is heavily involved in defining research paths. However, it can reduce contractor incentive to control costs, as their fee is not tied to performance or cost savings. This necessitates stringent government oversight to monitor expenditures and ensure efficient resource utilization.

What is the expected return on investment or tangible outcome from the $154M allocated to R&D support services under this contract?

The expected return on investment (ROI) for R&D contracts is often long-term and can be difficult to quantify precisely at the outset. Outcomes might include technological advancements, new product development, improved processes, or scientific discoveries. The specific goals and deliverables outlined in the contract statement of work would define the tangible outcomes. Without access to these details, assessing the ROI is speculative, but the significant funding suggests a high expectation of impactful results for the Department of the Air Force.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 7

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE (S)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 201 EDGEWATER DR STE 270, WAKEFIELD, MA, 01880

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $399,497,387

Exercised Options: $394,868,436

Current Obligation: $154,479,637

Actual Outlays: $3,622,675

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS00Q14OADS723

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline